Bogus-coin detector for coin-controlled machines.



No. 676,l|4. Patented lune ll, l90l.

P. E. BERGER.

BOGUS OOIN DETECTOR FOR COIN CONTROLLED MACHINES.

(Application filed Sept. 26, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

No. 676,i|4. Patented June .1, l90l. P. E. BERGER. BCGUS COIN DETECTORFOR COIN CONTROLLED MACHINES.

(Application filed Sept. 26, 1900.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.

Rm: PETERS co.. Pam's-urn. wmmm'cm. n. c.

UNITE YATES 5 ATENT OFFICE.

PAUL E. BERGER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 676,114, dated June 111901.

Application filed September 26, 1900. Serial No. 31,191. (No modeL) Toall whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PAUL E. BERGER, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Bogus-Coin Detectors forCoin-Controlled Machines, of which the following is declared to be afull, clear, and eX- act description.

The invention appertains to machines and devices of various kindwhichrequire in some way as preliminaryto their operation the insertionof a coin of some particular denomination. Such devices comprisemachines for vending articles of various kinds, display apparatus, tollsystems for telephones and the like, and other machines of variouskinds.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved detector for suchcoin-controlled machines by which the introduction of coins other thanthose of the required denomination or of bogus coins or blanks areeither prevented or are presented to and remain in view during one ormore operations of the machine, so that the fraud may be readilydetected.

The invention consists in the novel features of construction set forthin the following description, illustrated in the accompanying drawings,and particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of thespecification.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of my improved detector.Fig. 2 is a view in sectional elevation, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.Fig. 3,is an inverted sectional plan view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.Fig. 4 is an elevation with the front and top parts of the deviceremoved. Fig. 5 is a detail plan View of a portion of the device shownin Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Fig.4. Fig. 7 is a view in crosssection on line 7 7 of Fig. 2, certain partsbeing omitted.

A represents a casing, preferably cast of metal, which is provided witha removable front B, back 0, and top 0, which may be secured theretoiniany suitable manner. The casing is provided with a coin-insertinslot, and within the casing is located a coin-chute comprising twosections-an upper rotatable section and a lower fixed section-which willbe hereinafter described. The casingA is preferably tapering in form andprovided with a fiange a and is intended to be placed uponcoin-controlled machines of various types, with the lower end of thechute properly located to deposit coins therein to control theoperation. Preferably cast integral with the sides of the casing is achute-plate D, having in its face the grooved coin-chute d, which formsthe lower chute-section.

The front of the chute-plate D is recessed, and secured in such recessis a plate E, forming the front of the lower chutesection. The

plate is provided with an elongated slot 6',

across which extends lengthwise the twisted chute-plate D. This stud ismounted on the end of an arm f, which is pivoted to the back of theplate D, and said stud is normally held by a spring f against one sideof the opening ol and in the path of the chute, so as to retain any coinor coins which are in the chute. The stud is, however, located, asshown, so that it may be moved to the opposite side of the opening d andpermit the lowermost coin to drop into the machine on which the detectoris placed. In order that the coin may readily clear the stud F, thechute is recessed in one side opposite the opening (P, as at 61 Locatedabove the chute-plate D and in the rear of a curved upper portion 0 ofthe plate E is the rotary cylinder G, which is provided with adownwardly-tapering slot 9, and which constitutes the upperchute-section. The cylinderG is mounted in suitable journals in thesides of the casing A and is provided with the exterior operating-handle9 Above the cylinder G a coin-inserting slot a is formed in the top 0',between an upwardly-inclined extension 0 of the top C and an inclinedlip e of the plate E. The extension 0 is provided with a lug a over theslot (1 This slot is, as shown in Fig. 2,

, giiipping edges j rearof the chute-plate D. The cylinder G is held inand returned to the normal by a spring H, connected to one of thejournals of the cylinder by a flexible chain it, which may be readilywound on the journal.- Mounted centrally upon the cylinder is a cam-wing:and stop g ,which moves through properly-located slots 01 and e in theplates D and E.

either side of .a centering-rib 0 This magnet 18 normally located, asshown in Fig. 2,

at .a slight angle to the slot a and with its. ends, which are slightlybeveled, coincident, with one side of the slot and opposite the lip" 6The top 0 is constructed of cast-iron, sol that the'magnet is so held inits normalpositiontsho-wn in Fig. 2) by magnetic attraction.

l f desired, a flight springj' may also be used tolnetlin the magnet inits raised position. The endsof the magnet are provided with 1 Thecylinder G on onesideJof .{the slot 9 and beneath the magnet J is cutaway and formed into a cam-shaped The cylinderG is also provided portion9 with :3 lug or extension g.

The operation of the device is as follows! Acoin of theproperdenomination is inserted j in slot a and .drops into the slot g of theup; i

perchute-section. As this coin is larger than the flower opening of thetapering slot g, it is I If, however, a coin of Smaller-denomination ora blank of smaller size is inserted, it will drop entirely through theslojt g and into the space back of the; plate D, thus preventing it fromserving as retained therein.

a-me'd'ium through which to operate the detectoigas hereinafterdescribed. With the coin in the upper chute-section the operator willturn the handle g, thus inverting the upper chute-section -in thedirection of the arrow, Fig. 2, until it communicates with the lowerchute-section, in which position it is stopped by the stop 9 coming incontact with the lug-c of the casing, as shown in dotted linesin Fig. 2.The coin will then fall through the .lowerohute-section until it engagesthe stud E, where it remains in view through the openings 1) and e.\Vhen the operator removes his grasp on the handle 9 the upperchute-section will be returned to the normal by the spring H and chainh, ready for the insertion of another coin. This operation mayberepeated until it will only require one more coin to fill .the lowerchute-section. In

the device illustrated in the drawings such a state of affairs isbrought about after three coins have been inserted. When the next coinis placed in the detector and the upper chute-section turned so as tocommunicate with the lower chute-section, the coin will fall into theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2; but on" the return of theupper chute- S6Cl]l0l1 under the influence of the spring H' the cam-faceof the stop-cam will engage the coin last inserted and force thelowermost coin past the yielding stud F and into the device with whichthe detector is used to control the operation thereof. The stud F isthus forced to one side, but will bereturned to the normal by the springf and prevent the next coin from passing into the machine to beoperated.

P-ivotally mounted between an upturned central lug c and side lugs ofthe top piece j C isaflsmall permanent steel magnet J of the horseshoeform, the ends of which extend on f It will be understood that beforethe machine is put in use three coins in this par-' ticular form will beplaced in the detector, with the lowermost .in contact with the stud F,which latter coin -is always the one to dropinto the vending-machine ateach coin insertion into and operation of the detector, so

that the last-inserted coin will remainin view for a prolongedperiod,and it bogus the fraud will be disclosed.

If an attempt is made to operate the dc tector with a steel or ironblank, the superior magnetic force at the ends or poles of the magnetwill cause the ends to drop away from the top piece 0 and against thebogus blank. The gripping edgesj of the ends will engage the blank andforce it'against the op posite side of the slot against the lip e asshown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The parts are so arranged that suchbogus coins are caught and held against the side of the slot by what ispractically a toggle-joint, and it is impossible to force such blanksinto my improved detector. 7 In order to release such bogus blanks afterthey have been caught, the cylinder G is cut away on one side, so thatit may be rotated in the direction of the arrow, and the cam portion gbrought in engagement with the bogus blank to force it from the slot. Atthe same time the magnet J will be returned to the normal by theprojection 9 where it is held by the magnetic attraction of the irontop-plate O. This projection 9 serves also to return the magnet J at anytime if it should happen to be accidentally displaced. In order toprevent the sudden forcible insertion of an iron or steel blank, Iprovide the projection 0 over the slot, whereby it is renderednecessaryto place the coin in position and allow it to drop. Otherwiseby placing a bogus coin over the slot and striking it a sharp blow itmight be forced past the magnet before the latter operated.

My invention is not to be understood to be limited to the precisedetails of structure herein set forth, which may be easily varied withinthe skill of the mechanic and some of which may even be omitted withoutdepart-ure from the essentials of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a detector for coin-operated machines,

the combination with the casing, of a coinchute, said coin-chute beingprovided with a yieldable stop for holding coins therein, and with meansfor exposing the coins to view, and a cam device for engaging the coinsin said chute to force the lowermost coin past said yieidable stop.

2. In adetector for coin-operated machines, the combination with acasing, ofa coin-chute, comprising normally non-coincident upper andlower chute'sections, said lower chutesection being provided with ayieldable stop for retaining coins therein and with means for exposingthe coins to view, one of said chute-sections being movable tocommunicate with the other chute-section and a cam device cooperatingwith the movable chute-section for engaging the coins in said lowerchutesection to force the lowermost coin therein pastsaid yieldablestop. 7

3. Inadetector forcoin-operated machines, the combination with a casing,ofa coin-chute, comprising normally non-coincident upper and lowerchute-sections, said lower chutesection being provided with a stop forretaining coins therein and with means for exposing the coins to View,one of said chute-sec tions being movable to communicate with the otherchute-section and means connected with said movable chute -seotion andoperated thereby for releasing the lowermost coin in said lowerchute-section past said stop.

4:. In a detector for coin-operated machines, the combination with acasing, of a coin-chute, comprising a lower chute-section provided witha yieldable stop for holding coins therein and with means for exposingthe coins to view, an upper chute-section normally non-coincident, butmovable to communicate with said lower chute-section and provided with acam device for engaging the coins in said lower chute-section forforcing the lowermost coin therein past said yieldable stop.

5. In adetector forcoin-operated machines, the combination with acasing, of a coin-chute, comprising a lower chute-section provided witha stop for retaining coins therein and with means for exposing the coinsto view, and an upper chute-section normally in position to receive theinserted coin and normally non-coincident, but movable to communicatewith said lower chute-section and means for releasing the lowermost coinin said lower chute-section past said stop.

6. In a detector for coin-operated machines, the combination with acasing, of a coinchute, comprising a fixed, transparently-covered, lowerchute-section having at its lower end a yieldable stop, and aspring-held, rotatable upper chute-section normally non-coincident butadapted to communicate with said lower chute-section and provided with acam for engaging the uppermost coin in said lower chute-section.

7. In adetector for coin-operated machines, the combination with acasing, of a coin-chute,

comprising a fixed, transparentlycovered lower chute-section, having aspringheld, yieldable stud projecting into said chute-section at oneside of its lower end, and a springheld, rotatable, upper chute-sectionnormally non-coincident but adapted to communicate with said lowerchute-section, a handle exterior to said casing for rotating said upperchute-sections, stops for limiting the rotation thereof, and a cammounted on said rotatable chute-section and adapted to engage theuppermost coin in said lower chute-section.

8. In a detector for coin-operated machines, the combination with acasing, of a coin-slot and a lower coin-chute section out of line withsaid coin-slot, in said casing, and an upper chute-section open at bothends and interposed between said slot and said lower chute-section, saidupper chute-section normally coincident with said slot, but movable tocommunicate with said lowerchute-section.

9. Inadetector forcoin-operatedmachines, the combination with a casing,of a coin-slot and a fixed, lower coin'chute section in said casing, arotatable upper chute-section interposed between said slot and saidlower chute-section normally coincident with said slot, a spring forholding said movable chutescction in its normal position, a handle formoving the same to communicate with said lower chute-section and stopsfor limiting the rotation of said upper chute-section.

10. In a detector for coinoperated machines, the combination with acasing, of a coin-slot and a lower chute-section in said casing, amovable upper chute-section interposed between said slot and said lowerchutesection and normally coincident with said slot, a spring forholding said movable chutesection in its normal position, a handle formoving the same to communicate with said lowerchute-section and stopsfor limiting .the movement of said upper chute-section.

11. In a detector for coin-operated machines, the combination With acasing, of a fixed lower coin-chute section, an upper,downwardly-tapering, chute-section open at both ends and normallynon-coincident with said lower chute-section, said upper chutesectionprovided with means for inverting the same to communicate with saidlower chutesection.

12. In a detector for coin operated machines, the combination with acasing, of a fixed lower coin-chute section and an upper open-endedcoin-chute section normally out of line with said lower chute-sectionand contracted at its lower end to retain coins of predetermined size,with means for inverting said upper chute-section to communicate withsaid lower chute-section.

, 13. In a detector for coin operated ma chines, the combination with acasing, and with a coin-slot therein, of a magnet movably mountedadjacent said slot and arranged to be projected by the magnetic facethereof IIO slightly within the said slot, whereby spurious coins ofiron or steel placed in the slot are caught and held againstthe sidethereof.

magnet arranged to be swung in a plane parallel to said chute so as toproject its end slightly Within thesame end to grip spurious coins ofiron or steel between said end and the opposite side of said chute.

15. In a detector for coin operated machines, the combination with acasing, and with a coin-slot therein, of a horseshoe-magnet pivotallymounted within said casing and arranged with its ends normallycoincident with one side of said slot, said ends being provided withgripping edges andadapted to be projected slightly within said slot,whereby spurious coins of iron and steel placed in the slot are caughtand held against the opposite side thereof. a

16. In a detector for coin-operated machines, the combination with acasing, and

with a coin-slot therein, of a horseshoe-mag net movably mounted withinthe casing, and spring-held with its ends normally coincident with oneside of said slot, said ends adapted to be slightly projected withinsaid slot, and

a rotatable cam within the casing for returning the magnet to thenormal.

17. In a detector for coin-operated Inachines, the combination with acasing, and with a coin-slot therein, of a magnet movably mountedadjacent said slot and arranged to be projected by the magnetic forcethereof slightly within the said sl0r,whereby spurious coins of iron orsteel placed in the slot are caught and held against the side thereof,and means for returning the magnet to the normal.

18. In a detector for coin operated machines, the combination with acasing, and. with a. coin-slot therein, of a, magnet movably mountedadjacent said. slot and arranged to mal and for releasing and ejectingsaid spurious coin.

19. In a detector for coin-operated niachines, the combination with acasing, and with a coin-slot therein, of a magnet movably mountedadjacent said slot and arranged to be projected slightly within thesame, whereby spurious coins of iron or steel placed in the slot arecaught and held against the side thereof, and a rotatable cam mountedwithin said casing for returning the magnet to the normal and forreleasing and ejecting said spurious coin.

' 20. In a detector for coin-controlled machines, the combination with acasing and with a slot therein, of a magnet movably mounted adjacentsaid slot and arranged to be projected slightly within the same, and aguard-lug arranged over said slot, substantially as described. p

I PAUL E. BERGER. Witnesses: I

HARRY L. CLAPP, ALBERTA ADAMIOK.

